SkepLit Book Group: The Secret That Isn’t

SkepLit Book Group

Title: SkepLit Book GroupLocation: MadLabDescription: Ever read a book and wondered whether it was good science?
Want to find out if all those bestsellers like The Secret and Quantum Healing have anything in them?
Want to read science, discuss science, and even eat cupcakes?Start Time: 14:00Date: 2011-07-31End Time: 16:00

This July we’re looking at the phenomenon of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.

It’s been a book, a DVD, a forum and made it to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list in 2006. This is the book that launched a thousand personal development careers…

But is there really a “secret”?

Exemplifying the current trend in personal development and alternative medicine toward using “quantum” for just about anything, The Secret contributors claimed that science lay behind their key for getting rich, happy and successful… apparently by just wishing it could be that way.

At this SkepLit meet we’ll be looking at the book, the DVD and finding out if there is anything to “The Secret”, the effect it has had and could have on audiences, and the impact these kind of books have on the public.

We’ll be meeting at Madlab, the community centre that needs your support to keep providing a venue with free wifi access, so we’d be grateful for a small donation to help the running of the facility. There will be tea and coffee, and you’re welcome to bring snacks to fuel the debate. This is guaranteed to be a challenging one!

If you’d like to borrow a copy, there is one doing the rounds. Please organise exchanges on the wall below.

This will also be the next chance for you to select books for the September to December meets. Bring a book to advocate or select one of the topics already suggested.